Azasite

Azithromycin is an antibiotic and treats infection. Finish taking all of your medication as directed. Even if you feel better, do not stop taking medication unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Playlist

Now Playing

Pharmacist Teresa Brucker, PharmD overviews the uses and common side effects of Azasite

Next Video

Azasite

Next Video

Macrolides

Next Video

Azithromycin

Azasite

Pharmacist Teresa Brucker, PharmD overviews the uses and common side effects of Azasite

Macrolides

Pharmacist Nazley Mohammadi, PharmD summarizes the uses, common side effects, and warnings for the Macrolides class of medications

Azithromycin

Pharmacist Lindsay Morrison, PharmD overviews the uses and common side effects of Azithromycin

Azasite Overview

Reviewed: July 25, 2012

Updated: January 9, 2015

Azithromycin is a prescription medication used to treat many bacterial infections such as those of the lungs and airways, eyes, ears, sinuses, skin, throat, and infections from sexually transmitted diseases. Azithromycin belongs to a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics, which stop the growth of bacteria.

This medication comes in tablet, oral (by mouth) suspension, eye drops, and injection forms. The tablets and regular suspensions are taken once a day, with or without food. The extended release suspension is taken once only on an empty stomach. The eye drops are used in the affected eye twice a day. The injection is given by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of azithromycin include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and headache. Eye irritation is the common side effect of the eye drop form.

Patient Ratings for AzaSite

How was your experience with AzaSite?

First, a little about yourself

Male Female

Age:

Tell us about yourself in a few words?

/

What tips would you provide a friend before taking AzaSite?

/

What are you taking AzaSite for?

Choose one

Other

Bacterial Infections

Chlamydia Infections

Endocarditis, Bacterial

Haemophilus Infections

Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous

Neisseriaceae Infections

Otitis Media

Pneumonia, Mycoplasma

Protozoan Infections

Skin Diseases, Infectious

Staphylococcal Infections

Streptococcal Infections

Tonsillitis

Urethritis

How long have you been taking it?

Choose one

Less than a week

A couple weeks

A month or so

A few months

A year or so

Two years or more

How well did AzaSite work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend AzaSite to a friend?

Azasite Cautionary Labels

Uses of Azasite

Azithromycin is a prescription medication used to treat many bacterial infections such as those of the lungs and airways, eyes, ears, sinuses, skin, throat, and infections from sexually transmitted diseases.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Azasite Precautions

Hypersensitivity reaction: An allergic reaction to azithromycin is possible. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:

hives or rash

difficulty breathing or swallowing

swelling

hoarseness

Azithromycin should not be used for extended periods of time. Prolonged use can lead to the growth of dangerous organisms that are resistant to azithromycin. Take azithromycin for the duration prescribed by your doctor.

Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea: Azithromycin and other antibiotics can kill the “good” bacteria in the colon leading to a growth of C. difficile bacteria. C. difficile is “bad” bacteria that can cause diarrhea.

Heart rhythm changes: Azithromycin can cause abnormal changes in the electrical activity of the heart that may lead to a potentially life-threatening irregular heart rhythm. Tell your doctor if you have a history of any of the following:

existing heart rhythm problems called QT prolongation

low blood levels of potassium or magnesium

slower than normal heart rate

use of drugs for the treatment of abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias

Muscle problems: Azithromycin can worsen the symptoms of a muscle disease called myasthenia gravis. In addition, azithromycin can cause muscle weakness. Alert your doctor if you have a history of myasthenia gravis or experience the new muscle weakness.

Do not take azithromycin if you:

are allergic to azithromycin, erythromycin, or any other macrolide antibiotic

Azasite Food Interactions

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of azithromycin, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving azithromycin.

Azasite and Pregnancy

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Azithromycin falls into category B. Studies in animals have failed to demonstrate a risk to the unborn baby and there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Azithromycin should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Azasite Usage

The injectable form of azithromycin is given directly into the vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

Take all other forms of azithromycin exactly as prescribed.

For the tablets and regular suspensions (liquid):

Take once a day, with a glass of water and with or without food.

Take with food if azithromycin upsets your stomach.

For the extended release suspension (liquid):

Take one dose only on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours following a meal).

For the eye drops:

One drop is instilled in the affected eye twice a day for the first 2 days.

One drop is instilled in the affected eye once a day for the next 5 days.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of azithromycin at the same time.

Azasite Dosage

The injectable form of azithromycin is given directly in the vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

Take all other forms of azithromycin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

Your doctor will determine the best dose for you or your child based on the type of infection and the patient's age.

For the tablets and regular suspension:

Adults: The recommended azithromycin dosage for most infections is 250, 500, and 600 mg once daily in this dosage form. Azithromycin is usually taken for 3 to 5 days, or longer for more serious infections. For some infections a single 1 or 2 g dose is prescribed.

Children: The recommended azithromycin dose in this dosage form in children is based on weight and ranges from 5 mg to 20 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. Azithromycin is usually taken for 3 to 5 days.

For the extended release suspensions:

Adults: Azithromycin in this form should be taken as a single 2 g dose.

Children: For children 6 months and older, azithromycin in this form should be taken as a single dose of 60 mg/kg (equivalent to 27 mg/lb) body weight. Children weighing 75 lb (34 kg) or more should receive the adult dose of 2 grams.

For the eye drops:

The recommended azithromycin eye drop dosage is one drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily, eight to twelve hours apart, for the first two days. Then, instill one drop in the affected eye(s) once daily for the next five days.

Other Requirements

Before you open your eye drops, store it in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).

After you open your eye drops, store it at room temperature or the refrigerator between 36°F to 77°F (2°C to 25°C). After opening the bottle, throw away this medication after 14 days.

Safely throw away medicine that is out of date or no longer needed.

For the extended release suspension:

After mixing with water, extended release suspensions should be used within 12 hours. For adult patients, the entire bottle should be consumed. For pediatric patients, any suspension remaining after dosing MUST be discarded.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.

Your Personal Message

All information on this site is provided "as-is" for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. You should consult with a medical professional if you have any questions about your health. The use of any information on this site is solely at your own risk.